Robin Hood's Barn 



the name for royal furnishings? — ^that I could 

 not even step behind the arras. Tiun where I 

 would, I had my back against a white-washed 

 wall. 



I shall not forget the first time that I passed 

 within to grant an audience. A mob awaited me 

 that had no thought of breaking into serried 

 ranks at my approach. Caps fluttered not in doff 

 and flourish. Rather as a gay salute above my 

 head and often perilously near. I was, it seems, 

 a "dame," a "queen." Doubtful titles when con- 

 ferred with such rejoicing upon the evident 

 approachability of my young years. But after 

 all my business was to administer the King's 

 English. By precept and example I might make 

 clear the doubtful meaning of the terms. And 

 wise provision — ^in the case of failure I might 

 pronounce sentence of exile or of execution, for 

 the reins of government were in my hands. 

 Surely though, for the moment it was wiser with 

 these roguish faces all about me, to err a little 

 on the side of clemency, to try first to win my 

 people by my leniency and my compassion. Even 

 Dido had her melting moods. 



[i86] 



